<p>When I said there wasn’t anything to do on campus, I meant it in terms of parties. Sorry, I should have clarified that earlier! There aren’t that many on campus, but if there are, I go hoping that there will be guys from other schools there. There usually aren’t that many, though. And I’m not necessarily looking for a relationship - but gender diversity in my group of friends. </p>
<p>I am involved in some activities (music ensembles mostly…but a sport as well), all of which fall on weekdays. I’m havinig a fun time, too. I think the problem is that lot of lectures, concerts, and interesting events that students want to attend fall on weekdays, so it’s kind of hard to go when you have homework due the next day. </p>
<p>My weekends are pretty free (with the exception of work and concerts, if there are any). I usually find that I have to go off-campus with my friends to find something to do on a weekend. That’s just my experience, but with others it might be different. </p>
<p>Regardless, I’m having a great semester thus far. Last semester was tough, but I like the school a lot more now.</p>
<p>[I usually find that I have to go off-campus with my friends to find something to do on a weekend.]</p>
<p>What sorts of things are available on weekends in town. We have only ventured a little bit into town so far, so we are interested as to what there is to do in NoHo? Which restaurants do you like? Any entertainment that is special? Movie theaters? Performances?</p>
<p>NoHo is a very ecletic town. You’ll find many art galleries, book shops, and record stores. I know this one book shop that hosts poetry readings every Wednesday. </p>
<p>One thing is for certain - you’ll always be able to find a place to eat in NoHo.<br>
There are restaurants and coffee places all around King St., Main St. and Pleasant St. - Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Chinese…you name it. </p>
<p>There’s also a lot to do in Hadley, which isn’t that far from NoHo (maybe about fifteen minutes?). There’s the Hampshire Mall (which contains a laser tag place, roller skating rink, and movie theater), and there are a lot of your typical plaza stores (Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, Old Navy, etc.).</p>
<p>I’d put Hadley 5-10 minutes from NoHo, depending on where you are. </p>
<p>Be warned; the Hampshire Mall is pretty lame. The skating rink closes at like 10 and the average patron is between the ages of 13 and 14. it’s where middle schoolers take their dates, and then laugh at all the little kids. not a place to go as a high school student, let alone a college student. laser tag… it closes around the same time, and be serious. to be interested you’ve either got to be twelve, or baked.</p>
<p>apart from that, it’s pretty small and run down. they’ve finally added a few cloathing stores, but it’s gradually becoming the anchors (target, best buy, JC Penny, plus wal-marrt which is moving from across the street) and not much more. the movies are the only thing worth doing there. </p>
<p>I actually disagree that there’s much to do in Hadley. there’s the classic desolate suburban strip with the stores trumpeter listed, and the like. i don’t call a night spent hitting up mcdonalds, wal-mart, home depot, and old navy much to do. apart from that, there’s a bunch of farmland. A place to get your shopping done, but not a place to have a good time. </p>
<p>the culinary offerings of Northampton are superb. They’ve got everything, and it’s all good. but for pizza, cross the river and head to Antonio’s in Amherst.</p>
<p>As a mall, I found the Hampshire pretty lame too. I’d rather go to, what’s it called, the Holyoke(?) Mall, the one down near MHC and the first exit north of the 'Pike? For a mall–not that I’m in any way a mall rat–a lot more variety.</p>
<p>Dude, the Hampshire Mall is awesome compared to the town I’m from. Both the malls were turned into strip malls after the stores started leaving. I do agree that the Holyoke Mall is better, but it’s much harder to get to for the number of students who don’t have cars (you have to transfer busses on the PVTA or take the Peter Pan bus). The last time I went was with my parents during Family Weekend my first year.</p>
<p>I didn’t want to start a new thread with this one, but I found it posted on the Smith DailyJolt. The conversations are going hot and heavy over there, and it appears that there may be a proposal to change the language back to “her” from “student” in the student documents. I know the transgendered conversations have popped up here before, but appear to be coming to light at Smith now. Many of the students (not trans) want their all-female school back, and want students referred to as “her” and “she”. Not asking too much I would say. Sounds like Smith went over the top on this one! Here’s the OP’s quote:</p>
<p>Man, when I say that Smithies like to argue, I’m not kidding. I’m with the OP up and down the line: have no problem with transgendered students, think that Smith should retain its all-female identity. Not that I have a vote.</p>
<p>But I can envision the pitched battles taking place over this one.</p>
<p>Oh…the battle lines are drawn! All the students want is their student constitution changed back to reflect “all-female” status. I also agree with the OP on this one as well; after all, it is a women’s college, now, isn’t it?</p>
<p>{{{I’m with the OP up and down the line: have no problem with transgendered students, think that Smith should retain its all-female identity. }}</p>
<p>I informed everyone not that long ago this was a serious problem, not only simmering under the surface at the college but with alumnae and high school students discussing and deciding what colleges to apply to.
It is inconceivable Smith has come to the point students have to hide behind the anonymity of the internet to make a statement, as the courageous student who wrote the editorial did for fear or reprisals. Who would want their daughter to attend a college where the students fear PCness and the repercussions to the point they cant speak freely?
No one ever thought through the unintended consequences of this issue.
What Smith administrators seem to fail to comprehend is because of this issue they have lost untold applications from outstanding students and influenced others to transfer–not to mention being the brunt of jokes at every college in New England. I <em>personally</em> know of numerous alumnae who will not let their daughters attend Smith because of the direction the college has taken. Its too late for the class of 10, but I certainly hope Smith realizes many parents of Smithies will not support or recommend the college at the high school their daughters attended or in their respective communities. Put that on the jolt!!!</p>
<p>Smith is an all WOMENS college. We’re not "it"s or just “students” we are women. The Jolt is ridiculous…Smith is just crazy enough to consider this…</p>
<p>Actually you do. Many parents, as well as alumnae, will not donate $ anymore due to Smith’s change in direction.</p>
<p>otohTo be totally fair, there are some students who believe this isnt that big of an issue and Smith has always been a leader with bringing radical issues and ideas to the forefront.
In the early 60s, before gays were allowed out of the closet, so to speak, Smithies werent afraid to allow their sexual preferences to be known. No one would argue that wasnt a good thing. Smith allowed women to be themselves. Maybe Smith is just ahead of its time again.-- just a thought and not an editorial. :)</p>
<p>My D was a Smithie when the wording of the wording of the consitution first (I believe) came up for change. She actually went back and forth on the issue - at first thought the “she’s” should remain, then bought into the argument that trannies deserve to be addressed and referred to by the gender with which they identify.</p>
<p>Apparently the response to why trannies are at a women’s college is that few co-ed insitutions would be as accepting an environment as Smith.</p>
<p>Somehow it bothers me that “he’s” can be at Smith, yet my non-trannie hetero son can’t apply. It does seem to me that trannies who are opposed to the school going co-ed are having their cake and eating it too. They want to be the only “males” attending a “female” institution? </p>
<p>Yes, Smith does lose a lot of apps and alum support because of lightning rod issues like this.</p>
<p>Jyber, the having/eating cake issue bothers me, too.</p>
<p>God…and most people who read political posts in the Parents Cafe…know that I’ve put myself on the line for gay rights, etc., time and again. To me, this is a different issue. I’m well aware that some nominal “allies” on this issue hold some views that I would regard as pretty ugly but I’ve got to call 'em as I see 'em, issue by issue.</p>
<p>D and I were just talking about the PC-ness of Smith just the other day. She mainly lets it roll off her back but it’s perhaps her only complaint about the college.</p>
<p>{{Smith, yet my non-trannie hetero son can’t apply}}</p>
<p>If he became a transvestite, I assume Smith would allow him to apply. Considering Smiths policy of total acceptance of various sexual persuasions–he’s or she’s-- it seems appropriate to me he should be allowed to become a student.
I cant wait for a bored ACLU attorney make a case for out of this.</p>
<p>Note: read the post in the humorous vein it was intended :)</p>
Is it me, or is this just ridiculous? (not your comment Jyber, the tranny thing). Being a liberal parent, I have no issue with gay women or men; honestly, I really do not. The issue here is the way these ?women? choose to be treated on campus. Their sexuality is a personal issue, and one which I don’t believe needs to be treated in any specific way by the college. For Smith to change their student constitution to placate a few trannies just is not right. Smith should try hard to keep their sisterhood alive and kicking, particularly in today’s financially strapped single-sex collegee era who are thinking of going co-ed. </p>
<p>Granted, the Jolt is a place for the negative complainers who just aren’t happy with anything, but the OP in this case does not appear to be one of those. Simply, just a student who wants her all-female college to be precisely what she intended it to be; and what her parents are paying a bundle of money for. A great women’s college!</p>